A California youth survey on key issues in the March primary election found that young people's most urgent message to the future president is improving the quality of education. The next most frequent response was improving families' economic circumstances. California teenagers were also clear that while reducing crime is important, parental guidance, positive social activities and reducing the number of guns provide better solutions than tougher punishments. Only one third felt that harsher penalties such as those proposed in Proposition 21 are very important for reducing youth crime.

The Youth Voices survey, by the non-partisan children's policy organization Children Now in partnership with six high schools and one youth center, was conducted online with 216 ethnically and economically diverse high school aged students during February 14-18. The sites spanned the state and included Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, Redding, Oakland, Santa Monica and San Francisco. Each site was led by a teacher or youth supervisor and each student was given a pre-assigned identity code that, once used, could not be used again.

Education
While the majority of students say their schools are either "very good" or "pretty good," 80% said their schools could use "a lot" or "some" improvement in the area of resources (for example: the number of books and computers, the physical condition of the building).

Other areas that students said could use either a lot or some improvement included:

• What is taught (the choice of classes, what you learn in class) - 75% 
• How students treat each other - 71% 
• The teachers (for example: how well they are prepared, their teaching style) - 71% 

Youth Crime/Proposition 21
While young people chose "decreasing crime and violence" as the second most important issue facing the nation, after "improving the quality of education," they disagreed with Proposition 21's approach of enacting harsher consequences for youth who commit crimes.

70% said that "parents spending more time with children" is very important in reducing youth crime and 67% said that "reducing the availability of guns" is very important. 50% said "more after school programs" and 48% said "improving the economic situation of families" are very important. Only 33% said harsher consequences are very important toward reducing youth crime. Family Economic Resources

Lack of economic resources influences the lives of many students.
More than one in five respondents (22%) said that lack of health insurance had caused the student or a family member to delay going to the doctor or to not go at all. Many young people said there are activities they would like to do after school, but cannot because their family cannot afford to pay. Top activity choices that are limited due to cost or transportation are:

1. Take lessons (e.g. art, music, dance, etc.) - 25% of all students 
2. Use the Internet for fun or educational purposes - 24% of all students 
3. Participate in an organized activity (e.g. sports, clubs, etc.) - 21% of all students

When asked what they would like their family to do with greater economic resources, only 21% said this was not an issue for their family. The highest priority was "save money for college" (57%). 

Youth Making a Difference
The vast majority (70%) responded that young people can make a difference in political elections. When asked how, many looked ahead to their future as voters, saying that each vote makes a difference. Others said that young people can become informed, express their opinions and get involved in campaigns.

Children Now President Lois Salisbury stated, "Political candidates often invoke the needs of children in their campaigns. Yet, all too often, the issues that concern youth-such as, what can I do after school, can my hard working parents save for college-are not addressed in the election debates. We hope that Youth Voices prompts all those involved in the elections-candidates, the media and voters-to consider young people's stake and viewpoint in the important choices ahead."

Some Online Comments by California Youth

On the message they would like the future president to hear …
"Don't let the idea of being rich and powerful cause you to forget those who are not." 
"Listen to everyone's story and understand what some of us are going through." 
"Don't ignore us." 
"Listening and working with our nation's kids" is very important for the next president. 
"Materials can always be lost or obtained, but we cannot afford to lose the basis of family and the strength of a neighborly society." 
"Do we want our future adults to be as good as they can get? If so treat children correctly and they will be better adults." 

On the importance of strengthening families' economic situation …
"Focus his attention on the problems of today's low-income families who struggle." 
"Dear Mr. President, single mothers are still struggling to make ends meet. Please try to ease the stresses put on this new breed of American family." 
"I would wish that the president could build more houses for those less fortunate." 
"Help the poor people with health insurance, school, work opportunities, don't give too much money to the Army, use the money to help people." 
"Try to get the homeless off of the streets. Try to get everybody health care." 

On the importance of improving schools …
"Make education, and the youth of America a priority in future plans of the country." 
"Make sure that all future teachers love to teach and are qualified, and at least 75% of their students ace their final." 
"Education is the basis for all improvement in our country. It's the aspect of our nation which requires the most funding, reform and time." 
"Providing a better opportunity for a good education" will result in "greater hopes and dreams for minorities." 

On the importance of more after school opportunities …
"Make more recreational activities for youth instead of making propositions such as Proposition 21, which will only cause more chaos." 
"Spend less money on defense and more on educational resources and community activities in and out of school." 
"Make the country a safe place where teenagers won't have to worry about not being safe in their own neighborhoods." 
"Support teen progress, not teen imprisonment! PLEASE!!!" 

On youth making a difference in political elections …
"Many (of us) have strong opinions and are willing to work hard to make a difference." 
Teens "have good insight into the problems that are facing the future of our country." 
"The media has portrayed an image that kids should not have a say in such issues." 
"In American society, people under the age of 18 are not considered individuals." 
"Youth are part of society."